The weekly interview: Pyotr Kurzin

The curiosity of the world and the things that surround us is the reason for which we develop not only as the society, but also as well-informed individuals, who have a tremendous influence on the reality which we live our everyday lives in. If not that inner drive, we wouldn’t have had a chance to reach all these amazing things, the ones which make our everyday lives so much easier. However, despite the fact that we create so many useful inventions, it’s good to stop for a moment to rethink our actions and their possible outcomes in the future. They may have a negative influence on the surrounding us nature, but also the mankind, which is a substantial part of it. A human being is an individual, who has undoubtedly been granted a significant privilege to decide about the future of our planet. However, are you sure that the things which seem to be good for us today, will be the same favorable tomorrow?

Luckily, more and more people are trying to take care of the impact we have not only on our closest surroundings, but also on the whole planet earth in a more global way. Small steps that we take can in turn innitiate the snowball effect and it depends only on us whether our actions will occur to be for our well-understood benefit, or not. Nowadays, we are less likely to be afraid of voicing our thoughts in public, and today these are our voices which can shape our future tomorrow. That’s why, I’m truly pleased to introduce you to Pyotr Kurzin – a traveller, dealing with international affairs professionally, an advocate of leading an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle. He will tell a little about the reasons why he has partially become a nomad, about the things which absorb him at the moment, as well as about his plans for the future.

Passion
Piece: Could you tell my readers a few words about yourself?

Pyotr:
Ah these questions are so challenging to answer.

I’m
someone who cares about a lot of things; l have always been a very
passionate, inquisitive individual, particularly with the natural
world and our relationship to it. I have always just been very
appreciative of the fact we are here, and lucky to be able to
experience such a unique place, but crucially that we take care of it
too.

This has motivated me to work in an international field, particularly environments like the UN or World Bank where l can feel l am supporting in making a difference. So, for now that’s me, someone with lots of ideas, but still figuring how to execute them…

Passion
Piece: You’re British-Russian who travels the world. What unusual
circumstances made your parents be together?

Pyotr:
Oh
well this is a tremendously long story; parents considering writing a
book on it. Essentially, my mother was in Moscow for a 3-day trip in
1982 from Kraków. She and her friend spoke no Russian, stuck out
like sore thumbs and were taken pity on by an older woman who
introduced them to a young man: my dad. He spoke reasonable English
and they explored Moscow together. On the last day, my father came to
train station and presented a single red rose to my mum through the
carriage window.

Then
for 9 years they stayed in secretive contact via 4 embassies, based
on some special connections each had. But life carried on, with my
mum having my sister and my dad getting married. Then when the big
event came in 1989, my father took the opportunity to visit my mum
for a week.

He
never went back. And 3.5 years later came their greatest challenge:
me.

Passion Piece: I’m Polish and I can truly relate to these historical events. They have influenced people all around the globe. What impact did they have on you? Have they shaped you the person you are today?

Pyotr:
Indeed
they have. Significantly. Had they not happened l wouldn’t be here –
so l quickly became fascinated by international affairs, diplomacy
and history.

I
was fortunate in that my parents wanted to take me places so l could
explore and understand the world. Over time this made me want to
pursue a career and work in fields related to it, specifically
international relations and policy. I didn’t just want to be a
politician, but someone who could contribute to improving country’s
situations and reducing poverty. It made me very eager to meet people
from various backgrounds and experiences, since you do only live once
and there is no point in not meeting or learning from as many
different people as possible!

Passion
Piece: You decided to set up your own blog. Is it possible to link
your website to just one niche?

Pyotr:
So,
related to my previous point somewhat, overtime l decided that l have
some interesting but more crucially potentially useful experiences l
could share with people. So l wanted to start writing on topics, but
in a way it could relate to what l do professionally, as well as
personally.

No, l don’t think it is. While l don’t think you should have a blog about any-and-everything, I think having a blog about topics which interconnect makes for a strong blog. So l think my niche of blogging about living and travelling sustainably could be useful, while being an expat just adds another dimension. The case of, if l can do it being partially nomadic, so can others.

Passion
Piece: What can your readers find on your site? How can ‘My Global
Muse’ change their lives?

Pyotr:
Heh,
decent question.

Considering
my site is only 2 months old, not as much as l would like obviously.
That said, l intend for my blog to be a useful resource for making
simple changes to your lifestyle without them being major disruptive.

For
example, l plan to eventually go vegetarian, but am not ready to yet.
I am phasing elements out and so am a flexitarian – l am writing a
post on it right now, so want to share my experiences to appeal to
more people to try adjusting their diets. Not necessary reverting to
veganism immediately, as impressive as those who do it are.

Equally,
l want to provide useful information on travelling – it is a travel
blog in ways, but to emphasise how you can do it more eco-friendly.
Say when you fly, do you consider looking at offsetting your carbon
costs? Sounds complex but it really isn’t. So posts and details on
places l have been, but also how to ensure your visits leave only
positive impacts.

Lastly,
l love diving. So a place to share these experiences and increase
appreciation for these diverse, vibrant oceans we are lucky to have.
It’s not a place to condescend, but to inform, informally.

Passion
Piece: You are a keen traveler, who has already visited more than 80
countries located on different continents. What was your favorite
place to visit? How do you choose your destinations?

Pyotr: Indeed, l have been fortunate, part of this from my parents, but most recently me when l visited everywhere in Europe alone and solidified my love for solo travel. l don’t have one sole favourite place but in different categories:

Italy – my favourite to return and stay long in;

Maurituis – fav tropical place;

South Africa – fav place for natural scenery / wildlife;

Australia – fav for easy, touristy life.

I choose my destinations by trying to time them with where l am in the world at the moment. But also just by pointing at a map. Never just gone to the airport and gone somewhere without knowing? Try it!

Passion
Piece: While being on the way, one cannot predict everything. Have
you ever experienced anything unusual while visiting a new place?

Pyotr:
Interesting
question.

One
example was when l came back from Cuba in 2019 to Washington DC. I am
half Russian, coming from Cuba to the US capital and l study
International Security. Essentially, l was held at customs and
‘questioned’ because they were concerned l was security risk or
trying to share secrets to Russia…

Alternatively,
l was on the Bosnian-Serbian border in 2016. Due to the Yugoslav
Wars, where tens of thousands of Bosnians were killed by hardline
Serbian forces, the border remains very tense at times. Serbia is
also aligned with Russia, while Bosnia aligns to the EU making things
tense when crossing. I was on a coach of travellers and we had to
give our passports to be collectively assessed. Essentially, they
came back and took me off the coach to ‘question’ me. Basically,
it turned out the head immigration officer had served in the Wars and
wanted to know how someone with a British passport had a Russian
name… so l told them story l mentioned above.

Both
times l was fine, but it was some weird stuff.

Passion
Piece: What should one remember to do before setting off to the place
one doesn’t know much about? What rules do you usually follow?

Pyotr:
Weirdly
l wrote a piece on this last week – be sure to check it out!

But
l would summarise this in one way – do your research. Do you really
want to go to a location without knowing anything about it? Sure,
don’t do so much research you might as well not visit it because you
have taken away all the surprises away. But enough you know how
things like the transport, the ease of getting money, cultural norms
and so on work.

So
when l went to Puerto Rico – which l also recommend you read on my
blog – l did research on the best place to stay as there were loads
and glad l did as l got a stellar Airbnb flat for the same price as
friends who l made out there were paying for group dorm rooms.

It
pays to plan.

Passion
Piece: You love diving and the marine life. How did your adventure
with this kind of activity start?

Pyotr:
l
do, a tonne. It started because l am naturally aquatic. By this l
mean l love the water – l was a competitive swimmer and doing
adventurous things. I started it in 2003, before than taking my
qualifications and becoming semi-professional in 2012. Now l do it
whenever l can and in as many places as possible.

Passion
Piece: Being eco-friendly and promoting sustainability is quite
important to you. What tips would you give to my readers to change
their actions and help the planet?

Pyotr:
Well
read and sub to my blog for start. That’s where l shall be sharing my
insights and experiences.

Otherwise,
it comes down to being more conscious – you have to question what you
are doing or consuming and considering what is it doing beyond to
benefit you. This isn’t something particularly difficult to do, just
means being a bit more thoughtful. You don’t have to become a
treehugger – though it’s actually quite therapeutic – just simple
easy choices make a difference. Finally, support initiatives or
groups that look to reduce waste, environmental damage or nature
conservation – like the WWF, 4Ocean or Rainforest Alliance.

That’s
what l am to provide with my blog.

Passion
Piece: What are you passionate about? What do you love doing in your
free time?

Pyotr:
Well
this is similar to what l have mentioned before. That we care for the
planet we are lucky to inhabit – so blogging is genuinely a passion
beyond a cool way to make additional money. But l also enjoy exercise
and yoga, doing mental exercises and learning

Can
never stop learning – so l try to learn a bit about lots of topics so
l can engage with people on stuff at least a little. I also like
gaming, so may take a day out to just shoot stupid stuff on the
television – guilty pleasure l guess. Socialising and a decent glass
of wine for sure – disagree not drinking somehow means you are exempt
from experiencing difficulties.

I
also love singing, acting and being a performer – was my childhood
pleasure as l was choirboy, but the chance of ever making a
livelihood pushed towards more policy-related areas.

Check
out my Insta if you want to get more of a taste.

Passion
Piece: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? What projects are
you currently working on?

Pyotr: 10 years? I struggle with 10 mins sometimes.

Jokes
aside, working in international affairs properly, while having a cool
blog or space to share my experiences. Potentially living in
Australia long-term, but depends how my careers prospects turn out.

Project-wise,
l wish to learn Italian conversationally by end of 2020 and advance
my Spanish to be fully proficient too. And the other main project is
this website – l have big ideas for it and want to make it succeed
for myself.

Join
me on the journey.

Passion
Piece: Which motto would you like to share with my readers?

There are several l find pertinent but: You are the choices you make.

Passion Piece: Thank you very much for this truly inspiring conversation and I hope that when we meet in 10 years’ time, we will be able to celebrate your successes, as well as to hear about your new plans for the future.

It doesn’t matter which place on the earth you live in, you can still have an enormous influence on it, even if you are not really aware of this fact. Travelling can not only broaden your mind, but it also allows you to gain some practical knowledge and skills which you can introduce in your neighbourhood, in a way to make a difference. And you? Do you take care of our common home, which we are lucky to live in?

Wonderful! I love interesting people with lots of character like he has. I love the shortened story of how his parents met - beautiful! It sounds like he truly wants to make a difference, and he in on his way!

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About the blog

This blog has been created with the readers in mind, the ones whose passions help them pursuing their success and self-realization … but not only! I’ll also write for those of you who feel that there is a raw potential hidden somewhere inside your true self! I keep learning new things about myself everyday and I try to find new passions which allow me not to get crazy and get away from it all once in a while!